Top Prospects for the 2027 NHL Draft
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is anticipated to be a significant source of talent for the 2027 NHL Draft, with several players already drawing attention. Among the most prominent prospects are Landon DuPont of the Everett Silvertips and Alexis Joseph from the Saint John Sea Dogs. These players, along with others, are expected to feature prominently on draft boards leading up to June 2027.
Many of these athletes will also be vying for a spot on Team CHL for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, scheduled to take place in Chicoutimi and Quebec City on December 1-2.
Landon DuPont’s Impact in the WHL
Landon DuPont, a defenceman for the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League (WHL), has made a significant impact since being granted exceptional status. Over two seasons, he accumulated 133 points in 127 games, marking the fifth-highest total in his franchise’s history. In the most recent season, DuPont recorded 73 points, placing him fourth among WHL defencemen. His contributions helped the Silvertips secure their first WHL title and reach the Memorial Cup final. He was recognized with selections to the Memorial Cup All-Star team, the CHL’s Third All-Star Team, and the WHL’s West First All-Star Team.
David Gregory, associate director of NHL Central Scouting, noted DuPont’s ability to process the game at an elite level from a young age, even when playing against older, stronger opponents. Gregory highlighted DuPont’s elite skating and excellent edges, allowing him to make plays from anywhere on the ice. John Williams, Central Scouting’s senior western scout, also identified DuPont as a top prospect for 2027 in the West, praising the evolution of his game and his ability to play a more physical role against top lines, on penalty kills, and power plays.
Internationally, DuPont, a native of Calgary, Alberta, earned a bronze medal at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Key Forwards and Other Notable Prospects
Alexis Joseph, a centre for the Saint John Sea Dogs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), was the first overall pick in the 2025 QMJHL Draft. In his rookie season, Joseph tallied 60 points in 54 games, including 24 goals, which ranked eighth among QMJHL rookies. He finished sixth in overall scoring. Jean-Francois Damphousse, NHL Central Scouting’s senior eastern scout, described Joseph as a strong, skilled centerman with good skating ability who attacks the net with strength.
Joseph’s international performance includes a gold medal with Canada Red at the 2025 World U17 Hockey Challenge, where he led the tournament with six goals and 13 points, earning a spot on the All-Star team. He also represented Canada at the 2026 U18 World Championships.
Dima Zhilkin, a forward for the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), was the 19th overall pick in the 2024 OHL Draft. After a 43-point rookie season in 2024-25, which earned him a spot on the OHL’s First All-Rookie Team, he recorded 36 goals and 75 points in the past season, finishing third in Spirit scoring. Nick Smith of NHL Central Scouting praised Zhilkin’s work ethic and competitive nature, noting his game-breaking skills and strong hockey sense.
Zhilkin also contributed to Canada’s bronze medal win at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with three goals and led Canada with five goals and seven points at this year’s U18 tournament.
Other notable prospects for the 2027 NHL Draft include Jaxon Jacobson of the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), who recorded 25 goals and 85 points in his past season and won silver with Canada Red at the 2024 World U17 Hockey Challenge. Ryerson Edgar from the Niagara IceDogs (OHL), the 10th overall pick in the 2025 OHL Draft, had 23 goals and 49 points in 64 appearances as a rookie and won gold with Canada Red at the 2025 World U17 Hockey Challenge. Ilya Kolmakov, a Russian native playing for the Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL), tallied 48 points in his debut season after being selected 27th overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
Additional players to watch include Brock Cripps (Prince Albert Raiders), Patrick Deniger (Quebec Remparts), Brock England (Seattle Thunderbirds), Kohyn Eshkawkogan (Ottawa 67’s), Shaeffer Gordon Carroll (Medicine Hat Tigers), Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit), Timothy Kazda (Guelph Storm), and James Scantlebury (Quebec Remparts).
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Source: chl.ca
